Over at EightQuestions.info (social survey experiment), I just posted a survey asking for your thoughts on the rising fuel costs and what can be done to stop it.

Please take a moment and give us your thoughts on our 8 questions. We’d love it if you passed the word to your friends. We’re shooting for 1000 responses.

Short URL: http://tinyurl.com/4tbzz8
Follow 8Q on Twitter: www.twitter.com/eightquestions
Blog: www.eightquestions.info

Thanks!

If you’ve known me for any length of time, you’ll know that I’m a bit of a fanatic when it comes to my Moleskine. In fact, I prefer the graph version. The ruled version just does not work for me.

When it comes to things that follow me almost everywhere I go, it’s a pretty short list:

• Keys
• Chapstick (thanks Dad for this habit)
• Wallet
• Phone
• Moleskine

Yeah. It’s that important.

If you’re a fanatic like myself, then you’ve surely had this internal dialogue, “How can I customize the cover to make it my own?” Well, that question has now been answered.

The fine folks over at Modofly have created a couple dozen unique designs for you to choose from. The price is $36 for one (about $20 more than the average Moleskine). However, if you’ve just gotta have it unique, this is as good as it gets.

For those of you who are asking, can I get my own design on a Moleskine? Yes, you can. Order a minimum quantity of 20 and you can get them for only $26 each. Interested? Contact Jordan Pollard and he’ll hook you up.

The hunt for an easy-to-use Mac-based “Getting Things Done” (GTD) system.

If you’ve ever been interested in improving your personal productivity, there’s no doubt you are likely to be familiar with such books as Getting Things Done (GTD) and 4-Hour Work Week. Both books are inspiring, but when it comes down to practical solutions, GTD has become the gold-standard. I highly recommend it if you’ve recently been caught drifting in a conversation because you forgot to do this, or forgot to email her that.

The Perfect GTD System

One of the cornerstones of the GTD personal productivity methodology is having a system that you completely trust. This eliminates the endless questioning of when and where did I put ____________. (For more on what makes a great system, check out this recent blog post on author David Allen’s website.) Unfortunately, the hunt for the perfect GTD-based system isn’t an easy one. There are a lot of options available and there seems to be more coming on the market regularly.

My Specific Needs

Before I jump into the heart of this post, I should give you context for my particular needs. I’m using a Mac, Entourage for email, address book and calendaring and a Palm 755p for my mobile needs. Ideally, I would find a solution that would allow me to sync Entourage and my Palm seamlessly.

After searching for the perfect mac-entourage-palm solution for quite some time, let me save you the hassle; as of 5/13/08, that solution does not exist. While you could hack your way to some form of synchronization, it will not happen easily and without trial and error. This, at the core of GTD, is grounds for distrust. Thus, I needed something simple and trustworthy.

GTD Software Solutions

After narrowing down my options, I chose to test and review: iGTD/iGTD2, OmniFocus, Inbox and Things. The winner is … Things.

Here’s six reason’s why:

• Simple to Use: The learning curve on this software is about 15-20 minutes. If it’s that easy to learn, imagine how easy it is to use on a regular basis
• In Development: The current version of Things is 0.9.1.1 but the new 1.0 version is due out any day. With most anything, I like to be part of something that’s moving forward. Like many of the other apps mentioned, this software is living and breathing. Expect new changes and feature add-ons regularly. For you iPhone users, expect your own version in late-June.
• Gorgeous Interface (see below): Let’s face it, we all like to look at pretty things. The Things interface is not only easy to use, but it’s fun to look at; which makes it more fun to interact with

• Does NOT Synchronize: While this may be a drawback for some, it’s not for me. At this point, unless it can natively sync with Entourage, I’m not interested in trying to make it work. I’ve spent the past six-months trying to get things to sync through SyncServices and it’s a nightmare. Things inability to sync actually puts my mind at rest on the idea. Otherwise, I’d be tempted to keep that loop wide open in an effort to achieve the sync.
• Brilliant Delegation: If you manage people and are regularly assigning tasks for future follow-up, Things has made delegation (@Waiting for) simple and easy to use by adding a “People” reference. This makes adding people to your project or task easy to do and easy to follow up on.
• The Magic Tag Bar: They decided to leave context lists out and use a familiar tagging system instead. At first I didn’t know if I’d like this, but now, it’s brilliant. There are many levels and features to this system; too many to be described in this post, but is here. Overall, it’s much more intuitive.

My Full GTD System

In order to keep my system functional both at the office and while being mobile, the rest of my system is defined by the following:

• Entourage - will track email, address book and calendaring
• Things - will track projects, tasks and due dates
• Palm - will track @Calls, @Errands, @Agenda’s, and @Lists (like books to read, movies to see…all things I generally discover outside of the office).
• Missing Sync: will be used to backup my phone and synchronize it with Entourage

Which do you prefer?

Have you discovered the benefits and joy of utilizing your own GTD system? I’d love to hear about yours. Post your comments below.

Helpful Links

• Buy Getting Things Done (Amazon.com)
• Download Things (Mac only)
• Getting Things Done Defined (Wikipedia)
• David Allen - Author of the book Getting Things Done
• 43Folders - Well-known personal productivity blog
• OSX Task Manager Showdown – iGTD2 vs Inbox vs OmniFocus vs Things - A much more in depth review and analysis of the software mentioned above

If you’re one of the millions who have started, or already use Twitter, me too. I signed up a long time ago just to see what it was all about. Honestly, at the time, I didn’t get why I could or would be interested in knowing the fine-details of anybody, let alone strangers. Well, I’ve changed my tune.

Twitter Shirt from igadget.com - $20

In the past 30-days, I’ve embarked on a challenge to see how and, most importantly, why I should integrate Twitter into my everyday life. That’s an easy discussion to have in your head, but how do you explain the benefits to your employees, friends and often times, confused family members? After 30 days, here’s my top five reasons for using Twitter:

• It makes me really think about what I’m doing RIGHT NOW. Over the past year, I’ve become a student of personal productivity. Twitter requires me to consider if what I’m doing is Twitter worthy. If it’s not, I question whether it’s really worth my time.
• It gives me “presence” with friends, coworkers, family and vendors. While I won’t say that it creates or sustains these relationships, it provides opportunity to build on them. Why? I can feedback, direct message or simply be aware of what’s going on in peoples lives.
• It’s a great way to stay up-to-date with family. I’ve not been successful in converting many family members over to Twitter (yet), however, I am finding some luck by recently starting a Twitter for my 10-month old, @savannahgrace. Grandparents will do anything to stay in touch with their grandchild.
• It’s marketable. Let’s be honest, I own an marketing company that focuses on internet, new and social media. I have to know how to use it, why it works for some and if and how to make it work for my clients.
• It’s fun. I’m enjoying my new Twitter community of friends: @kristychowning, @savannahgrace, @ashbylane, @ashbychick, @michaelhyatt, @shawnrstewart. Recently joined? Follow me.

The internet is growing exponentially everyday. New social media can either be seen as a distraction or a tool. It’s up to us to consider why we use it to determine what place it will have in our lives. The key:

• Commitment and plan on how you will use each tool
• Integrate it into your life easily and then use it regularly
• Have fun with it. If it’s not fun, you won’t use it.

If you find something cool, be sure to let me know.

In 2004, eBay bought a 28.4% stake in Craigslist. Yesterday, CNN is reporting that eBay is suing Craigslist because they “want to protect its investment.”

A year ago, the CocaCola company released a TV commercial that portrays two Coke employees asking for the input from outside counsel if they can sue Coke Zero for “basic taste infringement.”

There’s a truth known to most people that united we stand, divided we fall (Luke 11:17). It’s why we have divorce, social unrest, family “sides”, companies failing and so on. Based on this fundamental truth, it’s easy to see why the Coke commercial is a joke.

We may never see or hear of the impact of the eBay and Craiglist divide, but the principle will remain true; lines will be drawn and division will ensue. eBay’s short-term gain will certainly come with a long-term loss.

While divisions in the macro world are easy to detect and critique, divisions in the micro world are the ones that impact you and me everyday. Unity is empowering. It can be translated as, “I’ve got your back.” Division is disabling. It can be translated as, “I’ve got my back. Better watch yours.”

In your marriage, friendships, job, church or whatever you’ve committed to, maybe it’s time to reassess and determine if you’re headed for division or unity?

Perception has a way of creating value in ways that, when honestly assessed, don’t make a lot of sense:

• A latte costs $32 a gallon, on average
• A gallon of Smoothie King (Gladiator) smoothie costs $27.16/gallon (not including tax)
• A cup of regular coffee costs $16/gallon, on average
• It’s about $2/glass for soda at a restaurant, an average of $12.80/gallon
• A gallon of Aquafina water could cost you at least $13.50, on average

The above list consists of items that most American’s consume on a daily basis, without thinking twice.

Last Wednesday, the Energy Department announced that they anticipate that the cost of a gallon of gas would rise to an average of $3.60 this coming June; an increase of 82¢ a gallon since this time last year.

I am not a proponent of rising fuel costs, especially since I personally can’t figure out what’s really driving this bottom line increase. However, I would like to challenge the perception. Auto fuel, an absolutely essential tool of our world, is far less expensive than any of the aforementioned nonessentials. All of which we could do without, if and when necessary.

Marketing departments have done a fantastic job at creating a high perceived value in our minds for packaged products. It seems that Exxon, Chevron, BP and the like, could stand to do some of their own marketing to win consumers over to their undervalued product. Until then, we’ll continue to live in a culture that values a gallon of coffee more than a gallon of gas.

Marketing influences. Perception pays the bills.

Trust between friends, colleagues and leadership takes time to develop. There isn’t a formula. There isn’t a methodology to follow. In fact, according to best-selling author, Seth Godin, there isn’t anything you can do but consistently build on those relationships. Why? Relationships that are built-on, invested-in and sacrificed-for are rewarded with trust.

If you blog, post on a regular basis (every day, week, month…it doesn’t really matter).

If you Twitter, post an update.

If you’re on Facebook or MySpace.com, find and create “friends.”

If you’re on LinkedIn.com, network.

These are not social to-do lists, they are means, methods and tools for creating trust.

Reaching out in your moment of need is too late. Reach out and begin building your trusted relationships now. Then, when you’re in need, they’ll be there for you.

Reach. Build. Trust.

Employee reviews can be difficult. It’s a blend and blur of empowering and course correcting. At the core of every employee review is the comparison of expectations.

I’d like to offer a simple methodology in which employers can measure the impact and results of their employees. From hire to promotion, there are four stages: plant, grow, bloom and prune.

Plant the Employee - The first few months of employment are critical. The health of their environment will determine whether the employee grows … or dies. At this stage, it’s more about the employer than it is the employee. As an employer, you have to ask the following questions:

• Have I empowered my employee to the fullest potential
• Does him/her have all the tools and resources needed to do their job well
• Am I doing a good job of training the employee
• Have I set up the employee to succeed or fail?
• How can I best serve my new employee?

Grow - At this stage, the employee has been “planted” and everything looks to be a mutually beneficial relationship. The expectations rise, but they’re not expected to hit home runs or think outside of the box. The main emphasis at this stage is root growth. Again, the ability for the roots to grow deep are directly related to the employers ability to provide a rich culture of health, tools and empowerment. All of the planting considerations still apply, but the employee is ready to begin growing on their own.

Bloom - Defined as a flourishing, healthy condition; the time or period of greatest beauty. This is the point when the employee is ready and positioned to shine. They are acclimated to their position, they’ve adapted to the company culture and they’ve defined and have begun to break the boundaries of the proverbial “box.” Here is where you find new, fresh and out-of-the-box creativity. It’s also the place where you find out what your employee is made of. They’ll either step up, or be asked to step out.

Prune - While this may sound negative in nature, like any healthy plant, it must be pruned in order to grow afresh and anew. In a corporate setting, this stage reflects the results from a flourishing employee. It’s critical to prune back responsibilities of your employee and hire staff to help sustain their infusion of business and revenues. The effects of this pruning should result in increase in creativity, confidence and promotion.

Once you have an employee reach the prune stage of development, in order to remain a healthy contributor and leader to the team, they should thrive in a regular pattern of bloom and prune.

As I stated in the beginning, it’s important to understand which stage of the development process your employee is at in order to accurately assess and compare their results. Moreover, you must have realistic expectations of what it takes for someone to grow into each stage.

Employers often get impatient with their employees learning curve and try to push them from one stage to the next. Unfortunately, this usually happens in the critical planting stage and the employee will either push to “grow” or simply die off. Employers can’t afford to have a dying employee, ever.

If you’re an employer, what specific expectations are you measuring your employees by? If you don’t know, then how is it possible for them to meet your expectations? If you can’t answer either of these questions, then I challenge you to determine what plant, grow, bloom and prune looks like in your organization and communicate that clearly to your staff. I guarantee that through clearly defined expectations, you’ll motivate and inspire them to become the star employee that you envisioned they could be.

Starbucks recently sent out a vague but intriguing email inviting me to attend an in-store event to “celebrate something big.” They used big statements like “We’re doing something big at Starbucks. Like Venti big.” and “We can’t tell you what’s going to happen because that’ll ruin the surprise.” Here’s a snapshot of the email they sent.

Yesterday, the day before the “big surprise,” I got another email from Starbucks.

Is anyone else wondering why they decided to take the surprise out of the surprise?

If you’re going to put a lot of effort into creating buzz and anticipation, don’t blow it by sending out emails, press releases and decorating your stores the day before with the “big surprise.” In the day and age of Apple’s perfect “reveal” of products, we have come to expect a lot from big, household name companies.

I didn’t go to the store as I had planned because I figured, why should I? I got the “big surprise” without leaving my desk. Had they waited until the appointed time, I would have been at the store waiting with anticipation. I may have even bought a cup and enjoyed the camaraderie of my fellow Starbucks colleagues. Instead, I’m sitting in my chair, writing this story feeling like Starbucks robbed me from my 11am CST anticipation.

In my opinion, Starbucks missed this one.

Over at EightQuestions.info (my informal, fun, state of the culture survey site), I posted a poll about who’d win today if you voted. Among other interesting insights, John McCain was declared the winner. Fact or fiction? I’ll update you in November. Until then, here is the pulse of a small (43 people) sample of society.

—

Ever wish you could get past all of the media and candidate hoopla and just know who will be President? Yeah, me too. So I thought I’d ask and what I found was a bunch of Republicans (56%) who are excited about voting for John McCain (61%). Read on to find out what the real hot issues are and if people would still vote on election day even if they didn’t know who they wanted or should vote for. Now that’s a good way of voting the new President in.

Let’s start with what political parties are represented by our participants. Over 56% were Republican; 9% were Democrat, 16% claimed to be independent and another 19% claimed “none.” Is none because you hate the establishment or because they never registered to vote? Who knows.

While I’ve watched and engaged in my own conversations about the issues of concern, it’s no surprise what ranked as the top issue for our respondents, the economy (79%). In all, I listed 17 different issues and asked each participant to select which issues played a role in their voting decision. Here are the top five:

• Economy (79%)
• Ethics (72%)
• Foreign Policy (67%)
• Faith (63%)
• War, Family (58%)

It’s interesting to note that Veterans (16%) and Technology (19%) were the least important issues to the participants.

The focus of this survey was to find out who people would vote for today. 61% said that they would vote for John McCain, 34% for Obama and only 5% for Hillary Clinton. As with any election, there is always a few write-ins. This survey had three people list Ron Paul as their candidate.

Something I found a bit disturbing is that 47% of the participants said they would still vote on decision day even if they were unable decide on one candidate. Maybe I should have followed up that question by asking if they would have just voted party lines? 26% did say that they wouldn’t vote at all and 28% said they didn’t know if they would or not. I’d just like to say, if you don’t know, do the research so you can be educated and informed.

Speaking of research, 81% of the participants said that research would be their main external influence in formulating their voting decision, followed by friends (40%), family (37%), media (33%), church (30%), parents/pastor/mentor (12%) and coworkers (5%). It appears that celebrities don’t have as much say as you’d expect. Not one of the participants cited them as an influence.

On the question of faith and their voting decision, 91% of participants declared that faith was a central influencer.

In the “sound off” box, we found one consistent comment, “I really don’t like any of the three.”

Based on this survey, it looks like John McCain is going to take this election by a long shot…that is if the remaining 47% of the population can make their decision before election day

• Male (58%), Female (42%)
• Median Age: 32
• 56% of participants were ages 25-34